The Mademoiselle Alliance: Inspired by a true story
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4.5 • 141 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
'An incredible story of courage, devotion and daring, filled with vivid prose and rich detail. A must-read' CHANEL CLEETON
'Natasha Lester uncovers stories of women from history and drapes them in velvet' The Australian Women's Weekly
From Australian bestseller Natasha Lester, an epic, sweeping novel of one young woman who risks everything to lead the largest spy network in occupied France - and change the course of World War Two.
Morocco, 1928. Eighteen-year-old Parisienne Marie-Madeleine is not the kind of woman who goes through life sitting down, something her new husband can attest. Her unconventionalities - rally car driving, flying planes and dabbling in intelligence work for the government - earn her a reputation, but she knows who she is at heart: an adventurer.
Paris, 1936. As Europe teeters on the brink of war, a chance encounter with a man codenamed Navarre turns Marie-Madeleine's life upside down. Recruited to help build a resistance network known only as Alliance, she conceals her identity - and her gender - as she navigates a perilous double life away from her children and the man she loves.
Bestselling Australian novelist Natasha Lester passionately brings to life the incredible true story of one of history's unsung heroes: Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, the only woman to lead a resistance network in WWII France.
'Lester writes with razor-sharp research and admiration for a woman whose name deserves to be blazed across the pages of history' KATE QUINN
'Gripping . . . The fearless Marie-Madeleine Fourcade's story is one that deserves to be read' West Australian
'Written with heart, passion, and impeccable historical research, a powerful story readers will not be able to put down' MADELINE MARTIN
'Lester brings this unique story to life in vivid colour' Daily Telegraph
'Deeply researched and gorgeously written' KERRI MAHER
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Australian author Natasha Lester vividly brings to life the startling true story of Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, a French mother, pilot and journalist who also led a sprawling network of spies during World War II. Unfolding across multiple points in time in Morocco, France, England and Spain, The Mademoiselle Alliance is a sweeping saga of tested loyalty, lost love and secret identity. Lester has repeatedly proven herself to be a modern master of historical fiction, and this book especially brims with cinematic potential. Despite the high stakes and ambitious scope, the chapters are short and focused enough to keep readers turning the pages with anticipation. The Resistance leader’s sacrifices and accomplishments have gone woefully underreported in popular culture since the war, making this novel feel all the more essential.
Customer Reviews
A must read.
A very emotional book, very well written.
An amazing woman.. almost unbelievable events
Based on true events, a part of world war two that is not well known. A life in the shadows. This is the story of a hero, a woman who achieved unbelievable things and was unspeakably brave. Given that, it was sad that at times the book felt flat.
Pre ordered and was not disappointed
I think Natasha’s books keep getting better and better!
I fell in love with all of the characters, well …except the traitors!
Definitely would like to research more about this incredible woman and resistance network - I cannot believe that they accomplished so much and I had never heard of any of them before.
I thought I was finished with WW11 books (they can be so depressing although I know that shouldn’t stop us from reading them) but this story definitely needed to be told - and told well. And it was!